GPA for Graduate School

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To any nurses who've been through grad school or in the process of it I was wondering if I could ask does GPA really weigh heavy for Graduate School?

I am a senior nursing student with 1 semester left of nursing school and I was worrying about my undergraduate GPA. I know a lot of places I've been researching are looking for an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. I'm trying my hardest to get a 3.0 for my undergrad GPA but I am definitely graduating with a 2.9+ GPA. Would that GPA alone discriminate me for graduate school?

My goal is to go to graduate school for NP/CNS (not sure what but something tells me my heart belongs to pediatrics or neonates) or as an MSN in education.

If you can please respond back to me I'd really appreciate it.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I'm trying my hardest to get a 3.0 for my undergrad GPA but I am definitely graduating with a 2.9+ GPA. Would that GPA alone discriminate me for graduate school?

Potentially, yes. Is there anything you can repeat to boost your GPA?

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Many graduate programs require a 3.0, minimum. If you don't meet that qualification they won't even look at the rest of your application. What it really comes down to is the other applicants that are competing for the finite amount of seats in a program at a given time. If the other applicants all have sub 2.75 GPA's, then you're going to be competitive. If all of the other applicants have 3.5+ GPA's then you're probably not going to be very competitive.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Yep, it's a pretty hard and fast rule in my part of the world. Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA is required. But that's not sufficient - they also weigh GRE scores very heavily. Same story for doctoral admissions.

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Specializes in Primary Care.
Many graduate programs require a 3.0, minimum. If you don't meet that qualification they won't even look at the rest of your application. What it really comes down to is the other applicants that are competing for the finite amount of seats in a program at a given time. If the other applicants all have sub 2.75 GPA's, then you're going to be competitive. If all of the other applicants have 3.5+ GPA's then you're probably not going to be very competitive.

This is true. However, even with less than 3.0 you still may have a chance... with a phenomenal GRE score and/or LOTS of relevant nursing experience.

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